Chapter 10

Natalie swiftly threw off the covers and got out of bed. As she made her way to the bedroom door, she heard footsteps approaching from the stairs. Without a second thought, she locked the door and rushed back to the bed to grab her phone, ready to call the police. Natalie had just dialed the first two digits when the doorknob rattled. Her entire body tensed as she prepared to press the last digit of the emergency number. "Open the door!" Wait, was that Taylor's voice? In the two years they had been married, Taylor had never set foot in Huston Villa. While George had demanded he move in, it was supposed to start tomorrow. Leaning against the door, Natalie couldn't understand why Taylor was at Huston Villa. Her phone suddenly rang, startling her. She looked down to see it was a call from Taylor. Taylor said in annoyance, "Natalie, what are you doing? Open the door right now!" After heaving a sigh of relief, Natalie unlocked and opened the door. Taylor scrutinized her from head to toe before barging into the bedroom. He scanned the room as if expecting to find another man hiding. Finding nothing, he turned back to her with a scowl. "Why did it take you so long to open the door? What were you doing?" "I thought there was a burglar in the house. I was scared, so I didn't dare open the door." "Do I look like a burglar?" Natalie glanced at him before walking toward the bed. "You haven't been here once in the two years we've been married. It's only natural for me to be on guard. I wasn't trying to make things difficult for you." Taylor seemed slightly appeased by her words. However, he sneered, "You were bold enough to be a mistress and sleep with me. Why would you be scared by this?" Natalie stopped in her tracks. In the past, he'd accused her of being shameless and unscrupulous. Yet, now he was calling her a "mistress"? The unfairness of it all felt like a punch in her gut. Natalie turned to look at Taylor. She fought back tears, her eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and defiance. Feeling irritated by Natalie's expression, Taylor looked away and sat on the couch in the bedroom. Seeing this, she asked coolly, "Is there something you need?" "Grandpa wants me to move back in. So, I'm here to keep you company tonight." "The room next door has been prepared for you. You can sleep there." Taylor looked at Natalie with his usual arrogance. "If I remember correctly, Grandpa gifted us this marital home. Why should I sleep in the guest room?" Unwilling to argue with him further, Natalie mumbled, "Fine. You can sleep in the master bedroom. I'll take the guest room." With those words, Natalie turned on her heels. But before she could take a step, Taylor grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. The scent of alcohol on him hit her senses unexpectedly, causing her heart to race. Taylor's grip around Natalie's waist tightened as he lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers. Natalie widened her eyes in shock as she remained frozen. She saw him close his eyes and kiss her with an unusual tenderness. Was this the same man who had sworn never to touch her? Determined not to endure another humiliation like the one at Jones Manor, Natalie pushed Taylor away. "Are you drunk or drugged?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Neither. I'm wide awake. I just want to kiss you." His low and magnetic voice sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if he was trying to seduce her with his words. Natalie felt as though she was being loved in a way she had never experienced before.